2017 NFL Free Agency: Backup Quarterback Options for Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys must put some of their offseason focus on finding a viable backup quarterback in 2017 NFL free agency
The Dallas Cowboys free agent search for a backup quarterback will arrive after trading, or most likely releasing, veteran quarterback Tony Romo in the near future. Mark Sanchez will most likely not be a part of their plans in 2017 either, and Kellen Moore is an unrestricted free agent returning from an injury. That leaves the Cowboys needing a free agent to slot behind Dak Prescott on the depth chart.
Prescott was a gift from the football gods this past season. When Romo went down in the third preseason game with a back injury off a hit from Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Cliff Avril, all seemed lost at that particular moment for the Cowboys. Instead, they played their best football in years with Prescott under center.
He was going to be a third string quarterback for the Cowboys when Prescott was selected in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. But the season-ending injury to Moore and the back injury to Romo left the Cowboys with a rookie under center. He played past season expectations, forming a bond with the offense of the Cowboys that saw them win the NFC East and go 13-3 in the regular season.
Now with the 2016 season in the past, it’s time for the Cowboys to build depth at the quarterback position. If recent history tells us anything about the Cowboys, a productive and skilled backup quarterback in the Cowboys free agent path is a must, or there could be a repeat of 2015 if an injury occurs.
There are a few quarterbacks who could really help the Cowboys with their quarterback depth, and here are three player who should be Cowboys free agent targets at signal caller.
3. Josh McCown
Journeyman quarterback Josh McCown would be a very nice backup quarterback gain in the Cowboys free agent search this offseason. The former Cleveland Browns signal-caller is out on the market, and according to ESPN’s Ed Werder, the Cowboys have an interest in him:
There's mutual interest between #Cowboys and backup QB Josh McCown. But Tony Romo decision must come first. Could be factor in TR timing
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) February 27, 2017
If that is the case, a decision on the future of Romo with the Cowboys could come sooner rather than later. Last season with the last-place Browns, McCown played in just five games while battling injuries and sharing time with many quarterbacks on the Cleveland roster.
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In his five games—three starts—McCown was 90-of-165 (54.5 percent) for 1,100 yards with six touchdowns, six interceptions and was sacked 18 times. In 2015 with the Browns, McCown passed for 2,109 yards for 12 touchdowns and four interceptions in eight games, all starts. Again, he was sacked 23 times, so he’s not had the best offensive lines to play around him in recent seasons.
McCown could be a perfect fit as veteran backup in the Cowboys free agent quarterback search. He’s an upgrade over Mark Sanchez, as McCown made recent starts in the past few seasons. For his career, McCown has passed for 14,242 yards with 79 touchdowns and 69 interceptions, though he’s been sacked 189 times since 2002.
He would certainly bring a veteran stability, and with the offense the Cowboys have built, if he were to be placed in a game, he is good enough to manage a game and let the likes of Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys offensive line take over and do all the work. McCown is capable of making some plays too andm though he wouldn’t be the guy the Cowboys would want to rely on for an entire season, he could be an excellent fit for depth at quarterback.